Was at Sick Kids today. It is always a place of great perspective. I can agonise over the invisible threat of allergens but am so thankful that other than the allergies (and asthma), our girl is healthy and well. Anyway, as I am getting anxious with our upcoming trip to Vancouver, it was just a good reminder to me to stop and be thankful. Thought I would share - it can be a challenge, but aren't our kids the best?
(edit: ooops - meant to put this in Parenting - don't know how to fix it. Sorry)

I agree Renie - visiting a children's hospital definitely gives a person perspective. We have been to CHEO (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) a few times for minor things (besides one ana emergency) and I always leave so thankful for the few problems that my children have, all things considered.

Our daughter was diagnosed at Sick Kids 5 years ago. It was such an overwhelming first appointment. We went there concerned about a milk allergy and went away with a milk, egg and peanut allergy diagnosis. We were incredibly fortunate to have Dr. Gold on that day. He spent over an hour with us going over the implications of the diagnosis and helping us to understand anaphylaxis. At the end of the appointment, I was nearly sick to my stomache. It was so much to comprehend.
Then we left the allergy clinic and walked through the halls of the hospital. We saw children who were obviously cancer patients in the halls and other very ill children. Both my husband and I realized when we reached the van that things could be much worse. Each time we visit the hospital we have the same feeling - allergies are bad but .... it could be worse. Sicks Kids has such awesome staff. I can't say enough about the hospital.

_________________13 year old daughter -- lives with life-threatening allergies to milk, tree nuts and peanuts; seasonal allergies (birch, maple, ragweed); pet allergies; asthma; and eczema10 year old son - no allergies

Interestingly enough, the book that I mentioned recently in the Resources section (Married With Special-Needs Children - A Couples' Guide to Keeping Connected) talks about this as a good coping mechanism - looking around and realizing that it could be much worse! I always sort of secretly worried that it was an unhealthy coping mechanism of mine - but apparently it's very healthy!!

Funnily enough, I know that my family's life gives some of my friends perspective, and makes them feel fortunate to only have the problems they have....!

LOL - I've always felt a bit twisted to look around and feel blessed - I am glad to hear that it is an ok coping mechanism.
and Yes, we can relate to being the family that people reference themselves against as lucky.

It truly is a matter of perspective. One which I sometime lose when I get caught up in the anxiety.

As a teacher I see a lot of kids with special needs that impact their lives so severely. I am always thankful that an allergy is all we are burdened with.

I was scrapbooking with friends last night and one lady has two children with brittle bone syndrome and one with developmental delays - lots of hospital time, specialists. I have one son with an allergy. Another has children who make regular CHEO visits for concerns but not life threatening. The fourth friend just sat there silently and I KNOW what she was thinkng. Thank you God!

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